News Service from House Harris

UK: Members of far-right wing BNP exposed on internet

LONDON, Nov 19 AAP - Teachers, police officers and soldiers have been unmasked as members of the controversial British National Party (BNP) after their names were leaked on the internet.

The list of more than 12,000 names, addresses, telephone numbers and email contact details of the far right-wing party's members was published by a disgruntled former BNP employee.

The BNP's leader Nick Griffin branded the leak a "disgraceful act of treachery", saying party members could be vulnerable to violent attacks now theiridentities have been exposed.

"We have also already made a complaint to Dyfed-Powys Police and will be giving formal statements shortly to support our demand for a serious and thorough police investigation into a series of very serious potential crimes, including breaches of the Data Protection Act, theft and receipt of stolen goods, and breaches of the Human Rights Act," he said in a statement.

"Unless those involved have been extremely careful to cover their tracks, they are liable to find themselves in very serious trouble - and in prison."

The BNP has a whites-only membership policy and is renowned for its strong anti-immigration stance.

Police officers in Britain are banned from joining the organisation.

However at least one serving officer was named on the list, with a note saying: "Discretion required re. employment concerns".

The publication of the party's members details, which dates from November last year, comes after the BNP won an injunction at the High Court banning any publication of the list.

Griffin said while the list published online was made up of "essentially genuine" members, some names of people who were not members had been included.

He linked the document's publication to next year's European Parliament elections, which the BNP will contest.

"Just six months before the proportional representation European Parliamentary elections give us the chance for a gigantic leap into the mainstream big-time, we get another leak intended to frighten the faint-hearted," he said.

"This latest attack is not really directed against our own people, who are already tough-minded and know that nothing ever comes of this sort of bluster ...

"It's water off a duck's back to the stout-hearts of the British National Party. Lets enjoy the publicity bonus!"

AAP btjnb=0A